'Big Bang' renews deal for 3 more years

By Staff, Associated Press

Posted:
03/12/2014 06:44:52 PM MDT

This image released by CBS shows, from left, Simon Helberg, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik and Jim Parsons in a scene from "The Big Bang Theory." CBS says it's renewing its hit comedy "The Big Bang Theory" for three more years. (Michael Yarish/AP Photo/CBS)

CBS says it's renewing its hit comedy “The Big Bang Theory” for three more years.

The extraordinary three-year deal would carry TV's most-watched sitcom through the 2016-2017 season, the series' 10th on the air.

“The Big Bang Theory” premiered in September 2007 and has been a ratings smash for virtually its entire run. It has averaged nearly 20 million viewers each week this season.

A comedy about science nerds and the people who love them, it stars three-time Emmy-winner Jim Parsons as well as Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting.